Ramesh Basnet wins AWFA soccer Star Player award
Ramesh Basnet won the AWFA division one Star Player award with 26 votes despite missing six games to injury.
Melrose FC's Ramesh Basnet claimed the AWFA division one Star Player award on Monday night. The forward scored 26 votes, six ahead of closest rivals.
Basnet was born in a refugee camp in Nepal and arrived in Australia at age 10 in 2008 with his Bhutanese mum and Australian stepfather. In the camp, his family made soccer balls from plastic scraps and rope, so he had never kicked a real ball before arriving.
He joined Albury United Soccer Club and played there for eight years. This year he moved to Melrose and won the award despite missing six games due to injury.
His parents were not at the ceremony, but seeing how happy they were later made it even more special.
- 26
- Votes won
- Jordan Hore 20, Andrew Grove 19
- Runner-up votes
- 2008, age 10
- Year arrived Australia
- 8 years
- Years at Albury United
Why it mattersHis achievement highlights how grassroots sport helped a refugee family integrate and thrive in Australia in almost 20 years.
AustraliaAlbury-Wodonga welcomed Bhutanese refugees starting in 2008, and Basnet's award shows how well that community has integrated and contributed locally.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 12 h ago
